JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Have had it a month now and using it with a Sony A6600. Very pleased with the results. I am using it with my Minolta, Sigma, Tokina and Tamron A-Mount lenses, both screw drive and built in motors. Compared to using the older LA-EA3/LA-EA4 previously, it is no contest. No need to do a MFA on the screw drive lenses. Perfect focus. No need to switch back and forth from LA-EA4 to LA-EA3 depending upon which lens I want to use.

Previously, had to meticulously do a MFA for best focus, and was never quite sure I got the best I could make it. And with zooms, there was always the concern that at some other FL, the focus might not be as good as it was at the focal length I did MFA at.

That problem is now gone.

Attached is a sample test image taken with a Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 lens on a gloomy day. I am liking my A-mount lenses again.

Adding another sample image with same lens, but at 200mm. Jet was too high and too small for really good detail, but the focus was right on.

(Download)


(Download)

Hanson

Is it not just designed for Sony A-mount lenses? Please explain.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

No, it is working with all the A-mount lenses that I have. That includes several Sony A-mount lenses and 11 Minolta lenses. A 10-20mm Sigma lens, a Tokina 300mm f2.8 and a Tamron 70-200mm f2.8. I also have several Tamron lenses with internal focus motors, and they work fine too. The 15-30mm f2.8, the 24-70mm f2.8 and the 150-600mm.

They all work equally well.

I'm pleased.

I just wish Sony would tell us that they are releasing new FW to accommodate the A7iii. They are silent on additional bodies.

Just for fun, here is a 2x enlargement of the jet (after first cropping it) using Gigapixel AI

(Download)

Hanson

Judging from the images, impressive results from both the adapter and the Tamron lens.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I think maybe you should elaborate on the new functionalities of some of the new Sony lenses and impacts on older Minolta lenses.....??
.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

First, understand that I have no NEW Sony A-Mount lenses. There are no new A-Mount lenses. Sony only makes new E-Mount lenses at this time.

When Sony first came out with E-Mount cameras, they also came out with two new adapters (Actually 4). There was a LA-EA1 (for APS-C) and LA-EA3 (for FF) that were to be used with SSM and SAM lenses which have internal focus motors. And they came out with the LA-EA2 (for APS-C) and the LA-EA4 (for FF). This adapter used the SLT mirror of an existing Sony SLT camera. I have heard mentioned that it was the A57, and I also have heard several other SLT cameras, so I don't know which one it really is. This adapter was designed for A-Mount lenses that used screw drive for focus. Later the LA-EA1 and LA-EA2 were discontinued and LA-EA3 and LA-EA4 were used for both APS-C and FF.

The LA-EA5 combines the LA-EA3 and LA-EA4 into a single adapter. For SSM and SAM lenses, they now offer Real-time Eye AF (human & animal), Real-time Tracking and more. For screw drive lenses, they offer more focal points. With the LA-EA4, there were only 15 focal points. The LA-EA5 greatly expands that.

But the big difference is that the LA-EA5 offers focus at the sensor. Not a separate light path such as the LA-EA4 has which has to be calibrated through MFA. This is a big, big improvement. And this is where I see all the improvements with my A-Mount, screw drive lenses which includes those made my Sony and Minolta, and others. And this difference a game changer for these lenses. I have 11 different Minolta lenses and my testing so far is producing very sharply focused images with all of them. Same with the Sony screw drive lenses and same with the others I have.

But the big gotcha at the moment is that Sony has only released FW for two cameras to be able to use the LA-EA5. For APS-C, it is the A6600, and for FF, it is the A7Riv. No others. This may or may not change in time, and I hope that it does. But for now, only those two bodies.

So for screw drive A-Mount lenses, on the A6600 or the A7Riv, the advantage is many more focal points and focus at the sensor.

One exception. I have the 500mm Minolta Reflex lens and it still only supports the single focus point in the center. Focus is very sharp, but it doesn't allow more focal points.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

THANKS ......and as you mentioned earlier NO MFA with any lens ? !
.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Sony has a page for compatibility. I found it hard to use but finally determined that it will not support AF for my 500/8 Reflex on my 𝜶6500. If it did I would buy it immediately. Anyone considering this adapter is advised to use that Sony web page carefully. Just saying..

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

That's correct. No MFA ever. Not needed. This is what appeals to me the most.

For my type of shooting, I like accurate focus. I am not into fast moving sports and don't have a need for the very fastest focusing lenses. But I have tried to capture swallows and king fishers, and those birds certainly require fast lenses. Still waiting for my first decent shot with these birds.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I have the Minolta 500mm Reflex lens and love using it. Here is one taken straight overhead with that lens and the A6600 and LA-EA5. Also increased the size by 1.4x using Gigapixel AI.

I hear lots of people say you can't get sharp images from a 500mm reflex lens. Guess they haven't tried this lens.

(Download)

Hanson

The adapter is not useful or compatible with Sony Alpha 7 ii?

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Unfortunately, it doesn't work with the A7ii.

Canisdirus

Same here. I also have the '5' adapter, and it's the bomb.
Everything you posted is 100% correct.
Sony put in a robust screw drive as well.
The Sony A77II is known for having a speed demon of a screw drive...and it seems Sony used the same drive for the adapter.
I was contemplating selling my Tokina 300mm f/2.8 lens since it simply could not perform adequately on the Sony A7RIV with the LA-EA4 attached. Now the lens can utilize the entire sensor and it's once again... a real keeper. Razor sharp lens once again that can track birds. Something not possible with any of the older adapters.
Sony's swan song to the A-mount design is a winner.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

AF or manual?